Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ Professor Anusha Shah has made history by becoming the first Indian-origin president of the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) in its 205-year history. As the 159th president, Shah specializes in water and environmental engineering, bringing over 22 years of experience to the role. In her inaugural address, she focused on the theme of nature-positive civil engineering, emphasizing the need for a profession that prioritizes both nature and people. Shah highlighted the environmental impact of construction, calling for a shift towards nature-positive approaches to reverse biodiversity loss and improve climate resilience. Her presidency aims to promote sustainability and address global challenges through civil engineering solutions.
Shah’s journey to leadership began in Kashmir, where her fascination with the interplay between natural surroundings and built elements ignited her passion for civil engineering. She started her career by securing a consulting project engineer role in New Delhi, working on the conservation of Dal Lake in Kashmir. Later, she earned a Commonwealth scholarship, pursuing an MSc in Water & Environmental Engineering at the University of Surrey in the UK. Throughout her career, Shah has shattered glass ceilings, becoming the youngest and first female chair of ICE’s London Region and receiving fellow status in 2016.
In 2021, Shah was honored with an honorary doctorate from the University of East London for her contributions to climate change in engineering. The same year, the University of Wolverhampton granted her an honorary professorship for knowledge transfer. Shah is a visionary leader, urging civil engineers to adopt nature-positive practices and emphasizing the importance of aligning infrastructure with environmental restoration. Currently serving as a senior director for resilient cities and the UK climate adaptation lead at Arcadis, Shah brings her expertise to address climate challenges and promote sustainable engineering practices. She holds non-executive roles at the UK’s Meteorological Office and serves as a visiting professor at King’s College London and the University of Edinburgh.
